Fluid Intelligence: How is it different from Crystallized Intelligence?

“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” 

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

Intelligence, IQ, EQ and common sense are some of the terms we hear everyday. But when we specify our functioning we differentiate it into 2 parts. One is Fluid Intelligence and the other one is Crystallized intelligence.

 

Fluid Intelligence is about learning, assessment and navigation of new situations that we encounter. Whereas Crystallized Intelligence is what you imbibe from your previous encounters. When we come across any situation we often use both these intelligences and then try to find the right solution.

 

In this blog we will learn about the concept of Fluid Intelligence as well as Crystallized Intelligence and how they differ from each other.

 

Also Read | Emotional Intelligence vs Artificial Intelligence

 

How is Fluid Intelligence different from Crystallized Intelligence?

 

Fluid Intelligence and Crystallized Intelligence were coined by Raymond B. Catell in 1941. Both these terms are different but are equally important and connected in some ways. Fluid Intelligence is about thinking abstractly, reasoning and solving problems without using any past experiences. 

 

We have so many scientists, professors, mathematicians that have invented different ideas and thought out of the box. Maybe you are a person that loves to think differently and invent new ideas without taking into account any of your previous encounters.

 

Many times we hear that a person’s intelligence is reduced. But in reality it is fluid intelligence that gets decreased. Basically abstract thinking i.e. out of the box approach is important to analyze various situations that we face.

 

There are many studies that have shown that once we are in our late 20s our fluid intelligence starts decreasing. The main reason is that we stop thinking about something new and depend on what we have learnt and experienced in the past. Our daily routine, our habits are what defines us.

 

Crystallized Intelligence  on the other hand is totally based on past experiences. We can simply say that fluid and crystallized intelligences are inversely proportional to each other. As we get older our experiences increase and we start relying on them instead of thinking abstractly. 

 

Crystallized Intelligence increases as we grow older and after a time it remains stable and starts declining after the 60s. Still there is no solid research that can prove the age till it increases. It will depend on the intelligence level of person-to-person.

 

In simple terms- Fluid Intelligence can decrease overtime as we grow but Crystallized Intelligence keeps on increasing and then gradually declines.

 

Let us take some basic and day-to-day examples of Crystallized Intelligence  

 

• Solving familiar issues.

 

• Playing trivia and board games.

 

• Doing your Math or Psychology Tests and remembering the techniques.

 

• Remembering information that you have read before. Like- stats, news articles, history dates and years, even birthdays.

 

Example of Fluid & Crystallized Intelligence

 

Let us understand the difference between both using an example. Suppose you are taking a Math exam, you will need a strategy to solve the questions but at the same time you need to recall the formulas, functions to solve them. Therefore, you use both Fluid intelligence and Crystallized intelligence simultaneously.

 

Similarly when we come across a new situation we start brainstorming- it is fluid intelligence. In small businesses we encounter problems related to cash shortage almost daily. In such situations we can rely on our past experiences by using Crystallized Intelligence.

 

Also Read | Basics of Decision Intelligence

 

Assessment Options for Crystallized Intelligence & Fluid Intelligence

 

“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” - Stephen Hawking

 

In order to measure the intelligence levels we can perform various assessments. In both these concepts of - Fluid & Crystallized Intelligence different options are there based on their approach. Let us understand those options one by one.

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Assessment Options in Crystallized Intelligence & Fluid Intelligence

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1. Crystallized Intelligence

 

It includes assessments of vocabulary, General Knowledge, language, and past encounters. There is much research on it and a test called- “Text Completion Examination” is done to measure Crystallized Intelligence. Given below are two important tests done.

 

• The C-Test

 

Called the Text Completion, it was earlier a foreign language test. It provides better results that can measure the Crystallized Intelligence of a person. It focuses on the language components and proficiency.

 

In order to obtain results in this test, the language components have to be selected carefully from multiple domains. Getting factual knowledge out of the C-Test is what is important.

 

• WAIS

 

WAIS stands for Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. It has been done since 1981 and is one of the oldest tests done to measure Crystallized Intelligence. It consists of 5 performances and subsets.

 

The subsets are verbal and include- information, digit span, similarities and even arithmetic. All these verbal subsets can measure the scale of Crystallized Intelligence reliably.

 

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2. Fluid Intelligence

 

It includes the following Tests:

 

• Progressive Matrice

 

It is done for pattern testing as per a research from 2013. In this a person has to select a random image from a set of 8 pictures. Once the total score is obtained, it is used for analyzing the total score.

 

• Digital Span Sequencing

 

It is done to check the working memory. It involves arrangement of series mentally. This series is verbally given to the person. He has to remember the digits and then arrange it. Ultimately the score obtained is analyzed to give the results.

 

• Trail Making Test

 

Cognitive Flexibility is measured using the Trail Making Test. In this a person has to connect circles and at the same time he will be switching between different digits and words present in the circles. Ultimately the score obtained is analyzed to give the results.

 

• Digital Fluency Test

 

Creativity skills, problem solving behavior are checked through Digital Fluency Tests. In this test squares are presented to the participants. A total of 10 squares out of which 5 are empty and 5 are filled. 

 

He has to connect the dots and simultaneously juggle between filled and empty squares. Apart from connecting he also has to create new designs without repetition of squares. The raw score obtained will tell the results.

 

• Tower Test

 

Planning abilities of a person are checked through tower tests. In this test a participant is given multiple tasks by the investigator and he has to complete them in minimum time. 

 

Every subsequent task gets tougher and the less time you take to complete, it will give you better scores. Tasks are based on colored disks of big and small sizes.

 

• Cognitive Failure Questionnaire

 

Execution is very important. In order to check attention, memory, and execution tests like Cognitive Failure Questionnaires are carried out. This is more of a question and answer test. List of questions based on intentions, presence are prepared. 

 

For example- Do you see what you need in a supermarket? Do you get distracted easily at home? Do you find it difficult to think about something? Basically the higher your score is the more problems you have.

 

Also Read | What is Emotional AI?

 

Both Fluid Intelligence and Crystallized Intelligence have a lot of differences as we have learned. We can summarize both the concepts in the following way:

In the first approach we find solutions by thinking and breaking down the issues instead of relying on past experiences while in the latter we use past encounters and deal with similar situations.